March 14 to 18, 2016 (Monday to Friday, any night)

Stephen Wise Free Synagogue at 30 West 68th Street is a Block Association partner and operates the Next Step Men’s Shelter. SLEEPOVER volunteers, on a nightly basis, are required to maintain operations and are recruited from the Congregation, Columbia University, the Block Association and
community. Volunteers arrive by 8 pm and leave by 6:15 am the next morning. Contact shelter@swfs.org. Future Volunteers always needed. Thank you!

May 1, 2016 (Sunday)

Block Party and BBQ

TIME: 9am to 6pm
LOCATION: West 68th Street from Broadway to Amsterdam Avenue

A Day of Fun for All of West 68th Street Family and Friends!

Children’s Bounce House and Games

Face Painting for All Ages

Resident Tag Sale Tables (inquire about a table)

Line Dancing with Rona Kaye

Pat La Frieda & Hebrew National Provisions

DJ Mac D. Hill

$1 Raffle loaded with community prizes

Special Guest of Honor

$10 contribution for everyone over 12 years of age
$5 contribution for those under 12 years of age

Our West 68th Street New Block Banner Proudly Displayed at the Spring Party(designed by David and Michele Harris)

Yes, it has been a sensational spring and summer — thanks to YOU!
The Leadership Steering Committee invites you to catch up here and see what’s planned ahead.

Save the Date

Saturday, September 12, 2015
Annual Community Block Party
11 am to 5 pm
Broadway to Columbus Avenue
A Fun Filled Day for Adults & Kids

bounce houses

craft tables

face painters

balloon twisters

DJ

line dancing

cyber security workshops

neighbors’ tag sale tables

live afternoon concert

GIANT $1 RAFFLE with grand prize from LOWE’S Home Improvement

PLAN TO JOIN THE FUN !

The 2015 Spring Block Party

was held on Sunday, April 26, between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. Participants came from all of West 68th St, between Amsterdam Ave and CPW.
The Party featured kids bounce house, square dancing, BBQ, raffle, and of course face painting for all. Everyone had a great time and was greeted by ELMO. The premium food was especially delicious. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer added good cheer.

Block Spring Planting

was kicked off with a BBQ on June 6. Planting Day was made possible by the generous contribution of 53 W 68th St of all flowers for the tree pits between CPW and Columbus Ave. Our co-ops, condos and larger buildings contribute funds and help keep our street looking nice in many ways. The largest buildings do their own landscaping. Joining us was City Council Member Helen Rosenthal.

APPLAUD THE VOLUNTEERS

by taking a moment to go through the list of
volunteers and steering committee members.
Find someone you know and thank them in
some way. You may not be able to help out
at this time but show you care by acknow-
ledging their effort. If you are in a co-op or
condo then do express your appreciation to
your board. We thank you for this !
West 68th Street would not be as nice a place
for us to share without these efforts.

Is your Block Association doing a good job? If you say yes then join the winning leadership steering committee.
Areas for participation

a delegate from your building

event planning

social media and communication

treasury

beautification and environmental concerns

elderly

pets

business liaisons

Environmental Concerns

Trees and Rodents

Leaves with holes and turning white are being reported by many. At this time of year this can be a typical caterpillar eating occurrence which can completely defoliate the tree. Healthy trees will regrow their leaves. None the less the Parks’ Dept is being questioned on possible courses of action.

Rats had become very prominent in June especially off the eastern Columbus Ave corner. Rat seminars were attended, the Health Dept was recruited, and property owners eliminated nesting and feeding areas. A unified effort around Block Association involvement has substantially reduced this pest population. Please report rat observations to the association immediately at w68info@aol.com.

LOWE’S Opening Schedule

Our new neighbor at the corner of West 68th St and Broadway has provided us with the following schedule:

Lowe’s has already begun to demonstrate their interest and commitment to the street by providing us with a volunteer at the Spring Block Party and by contributing a raffle prize. They pledge ongoing participation in the block association and have committed to the planting and maintenance of the tree pits in front of their store on West 68th Street.

We look forward to having them as a neighbor. Lowe’s will also be contributing to the Block Association’s Annual Community Block Party on September 12 (see above) to help make that event bigger and better than ever.

Stephen Wise Community Volunteer Program

Volunteers are always welcome for the nightly, agency organized shelter. Additional cooks and chaperones are sometimes needed. In addition there is the early Saturday morning breakfast give-a-way program also sometimes needing a helping hand.